Afternoon News Brief

Sheriff William Sheron

The Genesee County’s Sheriff’s Office along with other emergency officials are asking residents to be prepared to stay home a few days if travel becomes restrictive during the snowstorm expected to hit tonight. Many times, vehicles become stranded on roadways during a snowstorm, making travel for emergency personnel and other drivers difficult and very dangerous. According to the Sheriff’s advisory, home is the safest place to be during a storm and people are encouraged to make sure they have basic emergency necessities such as food and water. In Genesee County, a lake effect snow warning is in effect starting at 4:00 this afternoon and will be in place until 1:00 Sunday. Heavy lake effect snow is expected with total accumulations of 2 to 3 feet in the most persistent bands. In Wyoming County, a lake effect snow warning is in effect through 10:00 tonight; accumulations of 9 inches are possible with wind gusts as high as 35 mph. A winter storm watch will be in effect tomorrow evening through Sunday morning in both Orleans and Niagara Counties. Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm.

The lake-effect snowfall that’s forecast for Western New York has led to the scheduled closure of the New York State Thruway to commercial traffic later this afternoon. The Thruway will be closed beginning at 4:00 from Exit 46 in Henrietta to the Pennsylvania state line. The snowfall is expected to become heavier as it nears Buffalo with little effect as it nears Rochester and the Finger Lakes area.

43-year-old Jacqueline Garret of LeRoy was sentenced in Orleans County Court to 1 to 3 years in state prison for 3rd degree burglary and petit larceny. She had been on a judicial diversion program but didn’t make it through without committing more crimes. Garrett’s most recent offense was taking aerosol cans from a hardware store in Albion so she could use them for huffing. Her attorney, public defender Joanne Best, said Garrett has been struggling with drug addiction; was doing well, until she had a relapse. Garrett said she will use the time while she is incarcerated to “better myself.” The judge noted that a treatment court with supervision was tried before but was unsuccessful; incarceration will keep her away from drugs.

Orleans County Courthouse – Albion

53-year-old David Snyder of Albion has been sentenced to 7 years in prison, by an Orleans County judge. This was the maximum he could have received as part of a plea deal for attempted sexual conduct against a child, over the course of six years. The victim spoke in court telling Snyder, “you’re sick; I’m the one crying every day. I hate what you did. You took away my ability to be a child. Snyder replied with “I’m sorry.” Snyder left Orleans County shortly after his arrest last year but was soon extradited from North Carolina. In addition to time in prison, he will be on post-release supervision for 15 years.

39-year-old Johnnie Waston of Rochester is charged with endangering the welfare of a child as well as harassment. He was arrested in connection with a disturbance reported last month on Shady Lane, in the Town of Batavia.

A Buffalo man faces charges of stabbing his girlfriend to death at a home on Cambridge Avenue earlier this month. The suspect is identified as 67-year-old James Allen. He allegedly stabbed his 44-year-old girlfriend November 4th during a domestic violence incident. She died a week later. A teenaged male also suffered a minor injury in the attack. Allen has been arraigned on charges that include second-degree murder and second-degree assault. He’s being held without bail.

 Eric Comrie

The Buffalo Sabres continue to try to find a way out of their current losing streak, which has reached seven with a 4-to-1 defeat at the hands of the Senators in Ottawa last night. It was a double loss as the team lost starting goalie Eric Comrie to injury after he collided with Rasmus Dahlin in the second period. The Sabres are now 7-and-10. They play the Maple Leafs Saturday night in Toronto. Face-off is at 7:00.

Injuries and illness are impacting the Buffalo Bills’ practice schedule. Five players are out sick with non-Covid illnesses, while quarterback Josh Allen, safety Jordan Poyer, and cornerback Kaiir Elam had limited practice. Three additional players did not practice all due to lingering injuries.